Promoting Petraeus

Posted on Apr 23, 2008

Defense Secretary Robert Gates thinks Gen. David Petraeus, pictured here, should succeed Adm. William Fallon as head of U.S. Central Command. “I don’t know anybody in the United States military better qualified to lead that effort,” said Gates. Is that because of Petraeus’ proficiency at “asymmetric warfare,” or because he’s gone along with the president while Fallon reportedly stood his ground on Iran?

To be fair, Petraeus and Gates have both hinted that war with Iran would at least be problematic, but they’ve also done their best for Bush’s Iraq PR effort, and for that more than his service the president probably thinks of David Petraeus as a loyal soldier.

BBC:

Gen Petraeus’s appointment is subject to the approval of the US Senate.

He would replace Navy Adm William Fallon, who stepped down in March after a reported split with President George W Bush over his policy on Iran.

An article by Esquire magazine, titled The Man Between War and Peace, said he was opposed to the use of force against the Islamic Republic over its nuclear activities.